Di Grassi waiting for Pirelli decision

Since losing his race seat after a single season at Virgin (now Marussia) in 2010, the Brazilian has been a key test driver for F1’s official tyre supplier.

Whether or not he will continue in that role longer term, the 28-year-old is quoted by Brazil’s Totalrace: “At the moment they are deciding whether they will continue (in F1) for three more years or not.

“After that (decision) they will establish a position.

“But other than that,” added di Grassi, “I’m still talking to three teams about being a test driver and helping them with the development side,” he added.

He said Pirelli’s 2013 tyres will be notably different compared to last year.

“This year the tyres are a bit softer overall, so they will be a little easier to work with as they get fewer blisters,” said di Grassi.

“The shape is also a little squarer to increase the contact area, but this will not influence the tyres much.

“But we will probably go back to having more pit stops. The teams were starting to understand the tyres a little better, so they were having fewer stops,” he explained.